James McCutcheon, 80, was killed Friday morning after being struck by the SUV his wife was backing out of a driveway on Shinnecock Drive in Grand Haven. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the county’s first pedestrian fatality of 2026.
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Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies De-escalate Standoff After Manic Man Reaches for Replica Gun
Flagler County deputies on Monday successfully de-escalated a volatile encounter with a frantic man wielding a realistic-looking pepper ball gun, extending the agency’s 13-year record without a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident followed days of delusional 911 calls by the suspect, who was safely detained for a mental health evaluation despite resisting arrest and attempting to flee.
Golf Cart Charging Sparks Fire That Destroys Garage But Spares Flagler Beach Home
A Monday afternoon fire at a Flagler Beach home, caused by a charging golf cart, destroyed the garage and two vehicles but spared the living quarters. Fire Chief Stephen Cox credited a closed fire-rated door for containing the blaze. The homeowner was treated for smoke inhalation, and authorities warned of growing hazards associated with golf cart batteries.
Flagler Beach Man Facing Felony Charges for Soliciting 14-Year-Old on Snapchat
Cameron James Terry, 23, of Flagler Beach, faces felony charges for soliciting a child and unlawful use of a communication device. Terry allegedly admitted to sending graphic, sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat after meeting her through an online poker game.
170-Acre Wildfire Off US1 and Old Dixie Prompts Brief Evacuations But No Structures Lost as Blaze Is 50% Contained
A controlled burn escaped on Wednesday, growing into a 170-acre wildfire near U.S. 1 in Flagler County. The fire forced the evacuation of a dozen homes before crews achieved 50% containment overnight. While light rain aided suppression efforts and allowed residents to return home, fire officials remain on high alert. High winds and Florida’s unique vegetation pose ongoing risks, and residents are urged to remain cautious as mop-up operations continue today.
11-Year-Old Girl Arrested at ITMS Over Threats on Bathroom Wall
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 11-year-old girl after an investigation revealed she had written a shooting threat on a bathroom wall.
Fatal Crash West of Bunnell Claims Life of 44-Year-Old Daytona North Woman
Melani N. Stodola, a resident of Walnut Avenue in Daytona North–not far from the scene of the crash–was driving her blue 2009 Honda sedan when she crashed into a vehicle described as a “sod-cutter” in 911 dispatch notes, at 8067 state Road 100 West late Monday morning.
Mental Health Issues May Have Played a Role as Details Emerge in Flagler Beach U-Haul Standoff
The woman at the center of a standoff involving a U-Haul truck in Flagler Beach Monday may have been experiencing a mental health episode and delusional issues, according to details of her arrest that emerged today. May Ling Ip “called 911 and made numerous statements indicating emotional instability and possible delusional thinking,” according to a sheriff’s report. The trigger of the incident on reports of the Ip’s suspicious behavior, especially after her initial interactions with a deputy, doesn’t appear to have been unreasonable.
Defiant Ex-Flagler Paramedic James Melady Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Calling Rape Conviction ‘Malicious’
Former Flagler County paramedic James Melady was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2021 sexual battery of an incapacitated patient. Melady remained unrepentant, labeling his conviction a threat to the paramedic profession. The victim, who discovered the assault years later through video evidence, detailed the devastating trauma that followed, including a miscarriage and mental health relapse. Despite clear evidence of the victim’s helplessness, the jury’s verdict on a lesser charge limited Melady’s maximum sentence.
K-9s and BearCat Subdue Non-Compliant Suspects Fleeing in U-Haul After A1A Standoff in Flagler Beach
A man and woman are in custody following a standoff involving a U-Haul truck in Flagler Beach. After refusing to exit the vehicle on State Road A1A, deputies used less-lethal munitions and tear gas to disable the suspects’ vision and clear the cab. A K-9 unit eventually apprehended both individuals after the driver attempted to flee toward the ocean. Authorities recovered drugs from the truck, and the criminal investigation remains actively ongoing.
Dispute Over Noises and Name-Calling at Planet Fitness Leads to Child Abuse Arrest
A 48-year-old F-Section woman faces a felony child abuse charge after she confronted her daughter’s 16-year-old ex-boyfriend for making noises during a workout and allegedly slapping him in the parking lot after he called her a name.
Palm Coast Sex Offender Rejects Plea Deal and Seeks Trial in New Child Abuse Imagery Case
Gary Durso, a 62-year-old registered sex offender from Palm Coast, has rejected an 18-month plea deal and will head to trial in March. Facing five years in prison, Durso maintains his innocence regarding a single illicit image uploaded to Flickr. Though he admits to downloading the file via Craigslist contacts, he claims he was targeted by unknown individuals.
Preliminary Findings in Death of Axel Aldridge, 27, Point to Accidental Fall from Nautilus Condo in Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach authorities have preliminarily classified the death of 27-year-old Axel James Aldridge as an accident following a consultation with the Medical Examiner. Officers discovered Aldridge’s body outside the Nautilus condominiums early on January 6. Evidence suggests a fall. A used needle was found in the eighth-floor apartment he occupied, and maintenance reported frequent noise complaints.
Two Palm Coast Homes Lost to Fires in 36 Hours, with Propane Tank Explosions at Both
Two accidental fires destroyed homes in Palm Coast’s B-section and F-section over a 36-hour period Thursday and Friday. Both incidents involved propane tank explosions and rapid attic spread, forcing firefighters to use defensive tactics. Despite the total loss of their properties, no residents or firefighters were injured.
State Attorney Charges 15-Year-Old as Adult in Flagler Kidnapping and Torture Case
State Attorney R.J. Larizza has charged 15-year-old Junior Bishop as an adult following the alleged kidnapping and torture of an 11-year-old boy. Bishop faces up to 30 years for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and reckless fleeing. Darnell Hairston, the alleged kidnapper, faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Palm Coast Couple Faces Felony Charges After Toddler and Elderly Relative Found in Unlivable Conditions
Nikolas Cummings and Tashaye Brown were arrested in Palm Coast after authorities discovered a toddler and an 87-year-old man living in extreme filth. Flagler County deputies found the home infested with cockroaches, which were seen crawling over the sleeping child. The elderly victim was found on a soiled mattress, neglected and unable to access proper food or medicine. Both suspects face felony charges for child and elderly neglect.
Felon Faces 16 Charges for Stealing Firearms, Ammo and Crossbow from Girlfriend’s Father in F-Section
Timothy Nash, a convicted felon, was arrested in Palm Coast after allegedly stealing firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment from his girlfriend’s father at an F-Section house. While the residence showed no signs of forced entry, a locked interior room was breached. Flagler County deputies recovered the stolen items at a local pawn shop using database records. Nash, who has prior convictions in New York, now faces 16 felony charges and is being held at the county jail without bond.
6 Years in Prison for Woman, 27, Who Molested Relative, 13; Man Arrested Flashing Girl, 14, for ‘Extra Scenery’
Palm Coast resident Angel Marie Sexton has pleaded guilty to molesting a 13-year-old boy during a 2024 holiday visit. She is to be sentenced to six years in prison and nine years of sex-offender probation. In a separate R-Section incident, 22-year-old Stephen Nicholas Caputo was arrested for exposing himself to a 14-year-old girl while pleasuring himself before getting home.
FDLE Investigating After Former Daycare Owner Dies at Flagler County Jail of Apparent Alcohol Poisoning
Vadim Valenteychik, 54, died of alcohol poisoning at the Flagler County jail on Friday morning following a DUI arrest. Despite recording a blood-alcohol level over four times the legal limit, he was medically cleared by a local hospital before being booked. Deputies found him unresponsive in a monitored cell several hours later. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
Matt Doughney Pedals Into Retirement After 4,439 days as Flagler Beach Police Chief, Swapping Gun for Bike
After 12 years of service, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matthew Doughney officially retired during an emotional City Commission meeting. Known for his community-focused “bicycle policing,” Doughney chose to keep his bike rather than his service weapon on departing. During his farewell, he highlighted his work in rebuilding public trust and thanked the leaders who supported his 2013 hiring. Acting Chief Lance Blanchette led the ceremony as the department nears its upcoming professional accreditation.
A Motorcyclist Is Killed, Another in Critical Condition After They’re Rear-Ended on A1A in Flagler Beach
A fatal chain-reaction collision on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach left one motorcyclist dead and another critically injured Wednesday afternoon. After a Chevrolet rear-ended two motorcycles into a propane truck, traffic diversions led to two secondary incidents, including a semi-truck hitting a fire hydrant and a car striking a fire engine. Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox reminded drivers to adhere to Florida’s Move Over law in emergency zones.
Bomb Squad Sweeps Student Car at Matanzas High as Palm Coast Explosives Investigation Leads to Campus
A suspicious explosives investigation led Flagler County sheriff’s deputies to a student’s car at Matanzas High School today, prompting a partial campus “hold” and the arrival of a bomb squad. While an explosives-detection dog alerted to the vehicle, Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized there was no direct threat to the school or students. The investigation stems from two prior incidents in Palm Coast that are still under investigation. No arrests were made, and school officials expect to resume normal operations tomorrow.
70-Year-Old Homeless Man Accused of Minor’s Rape in Tent Near Palm Harbor Circle K Will Serve 6 Years in Prison
Jose Valerio-Rodriguez, 70, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by nine years of probation after pleading no contest to sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl in his tent behind the Circle K on Palm Harbor Parkway. By accepting a plea deal, Valerio-Rodriguez avoided a potential life sentence and a trial scheduled for next week. Upon completing his five remaining years of incarceration, the undocumented migrant faces likely deportation. The prosecution’s case included recorded confessions and evidence of the defendant grooming the victim.
Home Health Aide Charged with Stealing from 90-Year-Old Assisted Living Resident to Buy Gas, Donuts and Trinkets
Kaiti Natasha Swain, a 32-year-old home health aide, was arrested on two felony charges for allegedly stealing cash and a credit card from a 90-year-old resident at HarborChase of Palm Coast. An investigation linked Swain to over $600 in fraudulent purchases at businesses in Palatka and Palm Coast.
Convicted Sex Offender with Lurid Criminal Past Charged with Kidnapping and Beating 11-Year-Old Boy
Darnell Wayne Hairston, a 60-year-old convicted sex offender with a long history of violent crimes, was arrested in Flagler County following a New Year’s Eve traffic stop. After a violent struggle with deputies, authorities discovered an 11-year-old kidnapping victim in his truck. The child had been missing for three days and was allegedly tortured at a remote campsite. Hairston now faces several first-degree felonies, including kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, and battery by strangulation.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detention Deputy’s Battery Charge Likely to Be Dropped as Alleged Victim Refuses to Pursue It
Following the New Year’s Night arrest of Flagler County Detention Deputy Sara Radford for misdemeanor domestic battery, the alleged victim, Jose Marine, has requested that the court dismiss the charge. Marine wrote a Volusia County Court judge that he does not recall the incident and that no physical harm occurred. Radford remains suspended without pay.
Family Friend, 54, Arrested for Alleged Rape of Palm Coast Adolescent
Seth Tyler Holton, 54, is being held without bond at the Flagler County jail following allegations that he raped an adolescent girl while her parents were away. A family friend, Holton allegedly confessed to the assault during conversations with the parents and a subsequent non-custodial interview with detectives. Sheriff Rick Staly credited the victim’s bravery for coming forward.
Flagler Beach Motorcyclist Dies on U.S. 1 in Early Morning Crash, 8th Biker Fatality of the Year in County
A 32-year-old Flagler Beach man died early Christmas Eve after his motorcycle struck debris on U.S. 1, south of Belle Terre Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the rider lost control and was ejected from the vehicle. This incident marks Flagler County’s 18th traffic fatality of the year, and the eighth motorcycle fatality of the year.
Joshua Hawkins, 34, of Palm Coast, Accused of Raping Child Under His Care, After Buying Her Sex Toys
Joshua Seth Hawkins of Palm Coast was arrested Tuesday for sexual battery and molestation of a child in his custody. The victim reported a mid-December assault in a bathroom, supported by a forensic interview and recovered evidence, including items purchased from Amazon. He blames the alleged victim for initiating contact.
Argument on Old Kings Road Ends in Shooting; Victim Claims Assault, Girlfriend Cites Self-Harm
A man allegedly shot himself in a car while his girlfriend was driving, and she pulled into the driveway of the Elks Lodge to wait for paramedics. He blamed her. She described self-harm.
3 Years in Prison for Unlisted Sex Offender Who Wanted to See the Ocean
John Fehrman, a 51-year-old registered sex offender living in Palm Coast, was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to notify authorities of his move to Georgia. Fehrman, who claimed he only moved to Palm Coast to “see the ocean,” had a 31-year record of compliance. Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols rejected his plea for probation, distinguishing Florida’s strict statutes from Georgia’s leniency.
Two Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies Hospitalized After Their Motorcycles Are Struck by Car on Palm Coast Parkway
Two Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies were hospitalized with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries this morning after a car struck their motorcycles on Palm Coast Parkway near Wawa. Sheriff Rick Staly said the deputies were hit when a driver allegedly entered their path from a side road, though the investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol is ongoing. Staly urged the community to drive patiently during the holiday season, noting this is the third injury to a deputy in ten days.
Deputies Seize ‘Lipstick Knife’ and 29 THC Vapes in 3 Student Arrests at Flagler Palm Coast High School
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested three Flagler Palm Coast High School students this week following separate investigations, two for drug-related charges and a third for threatening another student with a knife.
With Felony Charge Dropped and IA Closed, Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Coma Accepts Discipline for Speeding
Flagler County Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma has been reinstated following the swift dismissal of a fleeing and eluding charge by the State Attorney’s Office. An expedited internal investigation concluded Coma violated agency policies by speeding 88 mph in a 55 mph zone while commuting. His penalty includes a 90-day loss of his take-home vehicle privilege and a two-day unpaid suspension, which is considered satisfied by the time he served immediately following his arrest.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Defends Arrest of Flagler Sheriff’s Detective After Charge Was Quickly Dropped
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey defended his officer’s arrest of Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma for fleeing and eluding, despite the State Attorney dropping the charge days later. Godfrey stated the dismissal reflects prosecutorial discretion, not officer error, and insisted Sgt. Caleb Braun acted properly based on probable cause. Coma, who was speeding to work, claimed he thought he was assisting a pursuit. He still faces a speeding ticket and internal investigation.
Jury Finds Ex-Flagler Paramedic Melady Guilty of Rape of Unconscious Woman in Ambulance
A jury of four women and two men today found Melady, a paramedic with Flagler County Fire Rescue from 2018 to 2024, guilty of rape of an unconscious woman he was responsible for in the back of an ambulance three years ago. The jury acquitted Melady of video voyeurism. He had recorded the incident, moving the camera a few times for better views of the woman’s privates, and preserved the video on his laptop. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced early next year.
Flagler Detective Coma Rapidly Cleared of Fleeing Charge After Speeding Incident; Still Faces Ticket and Internal Investigation
The State Attorney’s Office has dropped the felony fleeing and eluding charge against Flagler County Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma. Arrested for speeding 88 mph in a 55 zone, Coma claimed he didn’t see police lights due to loud music and sun glare, believing he was stopping to assist officers deploying stop sticks. Reinstatement is underway, but Coma still faces a speeding citation and an internal affairs investigation regarding departmental policy violations.
Florida’s New Reporting System Is Shining a Light on Human Trafficking
The criminologists who research human trafficking and founded the University of South Florida’s Trafficking in Persons Risk to Resilience Lab, known as the TIP lab, study human trafficking in Florida. Labor and sex trafficking hide in plain sight, embedded in ordinary settings such as hotels, restaurants, farms, massage businesses and private homes. Most victims are trafficked by someone they know or trust – a family member, intimate partner or employer. Many continue to go to school or work while being exploited.
Florida Will Help Homeland Security Obtain Your Driver’s License Records
Florida and three other Republican states have agreed to help the Trump administration gain access to state driver’s license data through a nationwide law enforcement computer network as part of the administration’s hunt for alleged noncitizen voters. The Trump administration said as recently as October that federal officials wanted to obtain driver’s license records through the network.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma Arrested on Charge of Fleeing and Eluding Ormond Beach Police
Ardit Coma, a 28-year-old detective with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested by Ormond Beach police early this morning on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The incident took place a little before 8 a.m. on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach, as Coma was driving to work in Bunnell in his gray Taurus. He has been suspended without pay, pending the disposition of the case.
A Year and A Half Investigation of Drive-By Shooting Leads to Arrest, and Almost Immediate Release
Traycan Verdell, 27, accused of a drive-by shooting into an occupied house in Bunnell in June 2024, was arrested on a Flagler County warrant in Daytona Beach last week, but was almost immediately released after posting bond, and after Bunnell police spent a year and a half investigating the shooting.
Fire Destroys Flagler Beach Home on Ocean Palm Drive Just as Young Family Was Completing Renovations
An early-morning fire destroyed a single-family house on Ocean Palm Drive in Flagler Beach today. The house was not occupied, as it was under renovation. There were no injuries, despite a partial roof collapse while firefighters were inside fighting the flames. The fire took place at 222 Ocean Palm Drive. Laura Tornelli took ownership of the house in late March from a close relative, long-time owner and resident Walter Kunz. The renovation was nearly complete, and Tornelli’s young family was planning to move in next month, Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox said.
Home Health Care Nurse Who Brutalized Disabled Man Is Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison and Faces Civil Suit
John Roy Jenkins, a 69-year-old former home healthcare nurse arrested in February on accusations that he repeatedly brutalized a disabled and voiceless client in Palm Coast, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday following an open plea before Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols at the Flagler County courthouse. Jenkins and the company he worked for, Maxim Healthcare Services of Daytona Beach, also face a civil lawsuit charging negligence and seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
16-Year-Old Arrested for Armed Robbery and Pistol-Whipping in Palm Coast’s P-Section
Dakoda Nodelman, a 16-year-old Palm Coast resident of Pitt Lane, is facing three felony charges, including armed robbery, following an incident at his home shortly after midnight on Nov. 16. He fired during the incident. No one was injured from the gunshot, but another individual sustained injuries from being pistol-whipped.
2 Wounded in Shooting at Palm Coast’s Beach Village Apartments, Both Claim Stand Your Ground
A 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old juvenile injured in a shooting Sunday night at Beach Village Apartments in Palm Coast both claim Stand Your Ground, according to Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. The shooting stemmed from an earlier confrontation between the 22-year-old and his girlfriend. Both the man and the juvenile suffered non-life-threatening wounds in the shooting. Two firearms were recovered. It is not yet clear whether both firearms were discharged, or whether the wounds resulted from a single gun.
Charles ‘Skeeter’ Cowart Back in Jail for 1st Time in 7 Years After Axe-Wielding Rampage at His Apartment
Charles Larkin Cowart, the 42-year-old West Flagler resident known as Skeeter, spent a decade and a half until 2018 in and out of jail, often resulting from bizarre behavior. Last Wednesday, Cowart was back in jail facing three felony charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after allegedly splitting with an axe the door to his apartment where a teenage boy–his wife’s son–was staying, and allegedly nearly striking another man with his car. But the arrest report by Bunnell police may be problematic.
Leigha Mumby Rearrested on Vehicular Homicide Charge in Death of Daniel Waterman, and Released on $150,000 Bond
Leigha Mumby, the 24-year-old Flagler Beach woman accused of causing the death of her boyfriend and father of her child, Daniel Waterman, in a car crash last February, turned herself in at the Flagler County jail the afternoon of Oct. 29, after a warrant was issued for her rearrest.
Sheriff Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide of Elderly Couple in Palm Coast’s P-Section
Authorities on Wednesday found Julio Alonso, 85, and Martha Alonso, 74, dead of gunshots in an apparent murder-suicide at the house they’d lived in for 37 ears at 16 Pinelynn Lane in Palm Coast.
Palm Coast Resident and Army Recruit Indicted On Sex Abuse Charges From When He Was 13
A Flagler County Grand Jury on Nov. 7 indicted 22-year-old Giovanni Gabriel Curtis, a Palm Coast resident and U.S. Army recruit, on a life felony rape charge involving a child younger than 12, when Curtis was himself 13. He also faces a molestation charge. He has confessed profusely to his mother, to a detective and to his victims, to whom he has also proffered unbidden apologies and regret.
Sailboat Runs Aground in Flagler Beach, Close to Pier’s Construction Zone
A 30-foot sailboat from Hilton Head, S.C., ran aground just north of the Flagler Beach pier shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday. A crew of two-a man and a woman in their late 30s, early 40s–were aboard the boat. Neither was injured. But the boat’s keel has been damaged, making the boat inoperable.